Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Abdul El-Sayed, addressed concerns on Sunday night over potential reservations Detroit residents might have about him based on their experiences with individuals resembling him. He emphasized his desire to be assessed based on his character. El-Sayed shared these thoughts with MS NOW after his former rival, Haley Stevens, switched her endorsement from him to Republican Mike Rogers.
El-Sayed highlighted his consistency in messaging while campaigning for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Democrats. His campaign has faced attacks from Republicans, including criticism of his Muslim faith and labeling of his views as extremist.
I know that for too many people in the city of Detroit, their interactions with people who look like me aren’t very good,
El-Sayed said. He referred to some people’s experiences at places like gas stations and liquor stores, noticing unsavory behaviors. But I’m asking to be judged by the content of my character, not the color of my skin,
he added, expressing his hope to unify communities in the Senate.
Haley Stevens, who is a House Representative, assured that her endorsement switch was not anti-Muslim at all,
noting her difference with El-Sayed over Israel’s Gaza military actions. Gaza authorities claim significant casualties have resulted from the campaign. Stevens spoke outside a Detroit church about her decision.
Michigan hosts one of the largest Muslim populations in the U.S., with an estimated 241,828 adherents, about 2.4% of the population, according to the 2020 U.S. Religion Census. Concentrated communities exist around Wayne County, especially Dearborn, pivotal in the 2024 election. Dearborn’s 2020 census indicated 54.5% of residents are of Middle Eastern or North African descent. This community has grown through various migration waves, initially fueled by Michigan’s auto industry needs.
In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden secured Dearborn with 68.8% of the vote, whereas President Donald Trump got 29.9%. Travel restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries during Trump’s presidency contributed to opposition among Arab American voters. Democrats secured Michigan’s governorship and state legislature control in 2022, despite conservative Muslim residents’ and Republicans’ challenges over LGBTQ+ topics in Dearborn schools.
The 2024 election, however, saw a shift, with Trump winning in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, while Kamala Harris won in Hamtramck. The Biden administration’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza significantly influenced this shift, as reported by an exit poll by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. El-Sayed and other Muslim politicians have received criticism for their positions on Israel, with El-Sayed condemning both antisemitism and Hamas, distinguishing his criticisms from hostility toward Jews.
Despite Haley Stevens initially supporting El-Sayed, she announced her support for Rogers on Sunday, drawing criticism from Democrats and political commentators. El-Sayed remarked he was focused on engaging other voters across Michigan. Mike Rogers is going to be a vote for Donald Trump,
El-Sayed said, pointing out that Trump had endorsed Rogers as effectively representing his interests. El-Sayed implored voters to prioritize protecting democracy, union rights, and healthcare.
Stevens later appeared on CNN, where Anderson Cooper questioned her stance on whether El-Sayed was spreading hate or antisemitism. She expressed disdain for El-Sayed’s political allies. Trump praised Stevens for her endorsement shift, suggesting her potential fit within the GOP ranks.
On Elections analytics, El-Sayed had a comfortable lead in the final polls. A New York Times/Siena poll showed El-Sayed ahead of Rogers by double digits at 53% to Rogers’ 42%, conducted among 1,011 likely voters from October 23-November 1. A prior YouGov poll, surveying 2,093 voters between October 26-29, showed El-Sayed with a 4-point lead. El-Sayed had consistently led since early September, except in two Republican-sponsored polls.
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